White House criticizes Republican’s rape comment

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says comments by a Republican lawmaker about rape show, quote, an “alarming disregard for women.”

Spokesman Jay Carney was talking about Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks and his assertion that incidences of pregnancy resulting from rape “are very low.” Franks is sponsoring a bill to ban almost all abortions after a fetus reaches the age of 20 weeks.

Carney says the White House issues takes “great issue” with the comments. And he says the remarks have shone attention on the bill in a way “Republicans wish the public would forget.”

Several recent court decisions have struck down similar state laws, and the GOP-backed bill has little future in the Democratic-led Senate.